Apparatus for forming sheet-glass.



E. BANNER. APPARATUS FoH FORMING SHEET GLASS.

` APPLICATION FILED APR. Il |917. l 26193672 Patented Apr. 2, 1918.

7 SHEETS-SHEET 2 E. BANNER. APPARATUS FOR FORMINGSHEET GLASS. l APPLICATION FILED APR. Il. l9l7` l ,261 ,3671, Patented Apr. 2, 1918` SHEETS-SHEET 3.

E. DANNER. APPARATUS FOR FURIVIING SHEET GLASIS.

APPLICATION FILED APR. ll. |91?.

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E. DANNEH. 4APPARATUS FOR FORMING SHEET GLASS.

APPLICATION FILED APR. Il. 19|?.

Patented Apr. 2, 1918.

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E. BANNER. APPARATUS FOR FoRMmG SHEET GLASS.

APPLICATION FILED APR-1|. 1917y 1.261,36?. Patented Apr. 2, 1918.

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E. DANNER. APPARATUS FOR FoRMlNG SHEET GLASS.

Patented Apr. 2, 1918.

TSHEETS-SHEET7 APPLICATION FILED APR. Il. 1917.

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l.AZPIEARlLTUS FOR FORMING- SHEET-GLASS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application led Avpril 11, 1917. Serial No. 161,210.

accompanying drawings, and to the charac- 'ters of reference marked thereon, which form a art of this specification.

This invention relates to the glass work ing art, and 'particularly to the manufacture of sheet glass, and has for its object the provision of simple and efficient means for practising the process described in my co-pending application Serial No, 95,070, filed May 3, 1916, for forming molten glass in continuous sheet form without the use of 1 pressing or sizing rolls.

The invention is fully described in the following speciiication, and while, in its broader aspect, it is capable of embodiment in numerous forms, a preferred and one modied form thereof are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a side elevation of the preferred form of apparatus for practising my invention with a part of the furnace broken away. Fig. 2 is a front end elevation thereof with a part broken away. Fig. 3 is a section on the line 3 3 in Fig. 2 with glass being drawn in sheet form therefrom. Fig. 4 is a section on the line 4-4 in Fig. 3 witha part broken-away;- Fig. 5 is an enlarged side elevation ofa portion of thel apparatus illustrating the slab adjusting means. Fig. 6 is a section on the line 6-6 in Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is an enlarged sectional detail of the slab shown in Fig. 3 provided with means at its free end for holding a film of glass thereto. Fig. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the furnace similar to Fig. 3 and modified to illustrate a different form of slab" onto which the molten glass flows. Fig. 9 is a front end elevation of a different form of apparatus for practising the invention. Fig. 10 is a section thereof on the line 10--10 in Fig. 9. Fig. 11 is a section on the line 11-11 in Fig. l0, and Fig. 12 is a partial sectional View of the apparatus with a different form of drawing slab from that illustrated in Figs. 9 tolO, inclusive. The practising of my invention, as set forth in said co-pending application, conatemplates distributing molten glass evenly on a slab which is disposed in a heated chamber, and drawing the glass in sheet form from the slab to stretch it to the desired thickness or size. For the practical and satisfactory drawing of sheet glass by my process, ,it is important to maintain the slab, onto which the glass is rst distributed and from which it is drawn in sheet form, highly heated so that the molten glass in flowing down the same is not permitted to too Patented Apr. 2, 1913.

quickly cool, and also to maintain the slab,

or at least the greater portion thereof, in a high temperature so as to retard the external cooling of the glass surface as it flows down and is drawn from the slab.

In the apparatus illustrated in Figs. 1 to 46 1 designates a furnace containing molten glass 2, which, in the present'instance, flows from the furnace over al trough 3 into a practically closed chamber 4, that may be heated by flames from a plurality of burners 5, if gas is employed as a fuel, such burners being arranged in suitable positin within said chamber for an efficient heating of the same. The trough 3 terminates within the chamber. 4 and the flow of molten glass from its discharge endis regulated by a gate 6, which, for such purpose, is suitably mounted forl vertical adjustment" inl the chamber 4 with respect to the trough. The gate 6, in the present instance, has its upper end projecting without the furnace through the top of the chamber 4 and is carried by aA plurality of stems or rods 7, which .project upward from the upper end of the gate and sprocket-wheel'S on one of .the rods 7 to;

turn therewith; It is thus evident that a turning of the hand-Wheel 11 will effect a y are threaded through the centers of adjustsimultaneous turning of the sprocket-wheels 8 on the several rods 7 and cause an adjusting of the gate 6. D

The molten glass is intended to flow in a comparatively thin broad stream from the outer end of the trough 3 down onto the vertically registering surface of a slab 14, which is disposed in subjacent relation to the discharge end of the trough and rearwardly inclined to permit the glass to flow down the same by gravity in sheet form. The glass as it iows down the slab 14 is distributed evenly over the surface thereof and is partially cooled from the @molten state in which it Hows from the trough 3 to give the glass sufficient consistency to enable it to be continuously drawn off in sheet form from the lower discharge end of the slab. Any suitable means, not shown, may be provided without the furnace for imparting a continuous outward drawing movement to the glass sheet A, the speed of drawing being regulated to suit the thickness of the glass sheet required and the freeness with which the glass ows down and from the outer end of the slab. It will be understood that the drawing of the glass from the slab causes the glass sheet to be stretched to the desired thickness.

The width of the glass sheet is partially regulated by side pieces' 15 on the top of the slab 14 adjacent ro its side edges, said side pieces being pivoted at their rear ends to the top of the slab, and their free ends being movable inward or outwardv with respect to each other. Each side dpiece 15 has a rod 16 projecting outwar therefrom transversely of the furnace through a sleeve 17 that is fixedly carried by the adjacent end of the slab 14 a hand nut 18 being threaded on the rod 16 at the outer end of the sleeve 17 and prevented from longitudinal movements relative to the sleeve by a cage 19, which is Xed to the sleeve at its outer end. It is evident that a turning of the nut 18 will effect an inward or outward adjustment of the side piece 15 with which it is connected.

The slab 14 is disposed within a portion 4a of the chamber 4 at the lower forward part thereof and such portion of the cham ber is heated by the flames from a plurality of gas burners 20 in its bottom. In order that the temperature within the chamber 4u may be regulated to suit the conditions of drawing, which conditions vary for sheets of glass of different thickness, adjustable gates are provided above and below the outer end portion of the slab 14 and may be adjusted inward and outward to vary the size of the opening through which the slab projects, and also to expose a greater or less portion of the slab to the outside atmosphereor to an atmosphere which is cooler than that of the chamber 4a. The upper 32 and coperates therewith to retain the gateis designated 21 and is hingedly connected at 22 to the lower edgeof a vertically movable plate 23 forming a portion of the front of the furnace chamber 4. The plate 23 is adj ustably supported at its upper edges by rods 24, which project up through sprocket wheels 25 that are threaded thereon and supported by the frame 9. rlhe sprocket wheels 25 are connected by a chain 26 to cause a turning of the same in unison and one of said sprocket wheels, which is of the double type, is connected by a chain 27 to a sprocket wheel 28 on a vertically disposed adjusting shaft 29. This shaft is journaled in vertical osition in one side of the frame 9 and' carries a hand wheel 30 at its lower end.

Arms 31 project outwardly and downwardly from the lower edge portion of the plate 23 and carry a shaft 32 at their free ends. CThis shaft is provided with a pinion A33 adjacent to each side arm, and each pinion is in mesh with a rack 34, which is pivotally connected at its inner-end to the front side of the gate 21 whereby a longitudinal movement of the rack will effect a swinging adjustment of the gate. E'ach rack, has a part thereof provided with a longitudinal slot 35 for receiving the shaft rack teeth in engagement with the associated plnion. The turning of the shaft 32 is controlled by the turning of the crank-shaft 36, which carries a worm in mesh with .a worm-wheel 38 on the shaft 32.

'1 he gate which is disposed below the slab 14 1s designated 39 andextends down at the rear of a shaft 40, that is mounted transversely in the base frame or truck 41 of the furnace. The gate 39 is. provided on its 105 outer side adjacentto each end with a rackbar 42, which extends transversely of the shaft 40 and meshes with a pinion 43 mounted thereon whereby a turning ofsaid shaft will effect a vertical adjustment of the gate. 110

- thereof within the chamber 4a below the slab 14 and has its rear endprovided with a slot 49 through which a transverse shaft 50 pro- 120 jects and carries a 4rack-bar 51 in mesh with a pinion 52 on said shaft. It is thus evident that a rocking adjustment of the C gate 39 with respect to the shaft 40 as an axis may be effected by a turning of the shaft 50. The shaft 50 extends at its ends without the furnace through horizontally elongated openings 53 (Figs. 1 and 5) in the side walls thereof and each end is journaled in a bearing block 54, which rests on a respective bracket 55 for horizontal sliding nmovements transversely of the shaft, thus adapting the shaft 50 for transverse adjustment in a horizontal plane. The shaft 5() is provided at one end without the respective bearing 54 with a worm wheel 56 which meshes with a worm 57, the shaft of which carries a hand crank 58 and is journaled in bearing arms 59 projecting from the adjacent bearing block 54. j,

Each block 54 has a rod 60 projecting rearward therefrom and threaded through a sprocket wheel 61 at the outer rearedge of the furnace chamber 4, said sprocket wheell being connected to the sprocket wheel of the other'rod 60 by a sprocketA chain 62. Each sprocket Wheel 61 is disposed within a cage 63 to prevent axial movements thereof. It is thus' evident that a movement of the sprocket chain 62 will effect a uniform adjustment of both bearing blocks 54.

The slab 14 is hung at its rear end on the shaft 50 for adjusting movements about Vthe same as an axis, and is adjustably supported at its forward end by avv plurality of rods 64, which are mounted on the outer side of the gate 39 and guided for vertical move- A ments thereby. The lower end portions of these rods thread through respective nuts 65 fixed to the gate 39, and the several rods have chain and sprocket connection 66 with which tilting of the slab and regulating of' 4such opening is desirable to meet the condieach other, as best shown in Fig. 2, whereby the several rods are caused to have turning movements in unison. It is thus evident that a turning of the rods 64 in the nuts 65 through which they are thread-ed will cause them to have uniform vertical movements and to raise or lower the outer or forward end of the slab 14 to vary the inclination thereof and also to vary the size of the opening between the slab 14 and the gate 39,

tions and temperature of the glassbeing worked.

It is evident from the foregoing that a l in unison and that an adjustment of the rods 64 will effect a raising or lowering of the outer end of the slab 14 and will increase or decrease the size ofthe opening between said slab and the upper edge ofthe gate 39.

In Fig. 7 the slab 14 is shown as being provided adjacent to its outer or free edge with a passage 67, which extends from one end tothe otherof the slab adjacent to said ,e edge and has a plurality of perforations 68 opening outward therefrom at the front edge of the slab. rlhe passage 67 has connection with a'suction creating means or source of vacuum so that a suction action is l and vfor this reason vacuum is utilized to hold a ilin of glass tothe forward end of the slab so that the lass sheet passes Aover such film of glass as 1t leaves the slab. Another advantage of this feature is that the under surface of the glass does not have the surface lines which are usually present when glass is drawn directly froma metal or clay surfaced slab.

Gln Fig.. 8 the slab, which is designated 69,is disposed in substantially vertical position to permit tlfe downward drawing of the glass sheet therefrom in a vertical plane. In this case the upper end portion of the surface of the slab on which the glass flows is rearwardly offset from the vertical portion of such surface and stands in position for the molten glass to fall thereon as it Hows from the trough 3, the glass then being distributed in sheet form over the surface of the slab and flowing downward therefrom. The speed of drawing of the glass sheet from the lower end of the slab 69 is so reguwas inclined, asotherwise the glass would flow too freely down the slab. The slab 69 is mounted in the same manner as described for the slab 14 and the gates 21v and '39, and the rods 64 are adjusted to suit the position of the slab, as shown in Fig.` 8. The glass sheet, if desired, may be drawn from .the slab 69 down through the registering portion of the truck frame 41 and an opening provided therefor in the floor-or struc ture on which the frame 41 is mounted.

In the apparatus illustrated in Figs. 9, 10, 11 and 12, the slab is vertically disposed and the molten glass is caused to flow down the same in a regulated stream which entirely surrounds or encompasses the slab. ln this apparatus the trough 3, in which the molten glass flows from the furnace 1, terminates at its outer end in a pot or tank 76 that is disposed within a heating chambe'r 71, which is heated, in the present instance, by flames from a plurality of gas burners 72. The pot 70 is elongated transversely of the trough 3 to suitl the width of the glass sheets to be drawn and is provided at its bottom with an elongated opening 73, which extends substantially the length of the pot. A slab 74 of corresponding shape in cross-section to the openin 73 projects down through the opening and into a heating chamber 75, which is formed ininiediately below the bottom of the pot by a shell 76, which surrounds the slab 74 to near the lower end thereof.

The lower end of the heating chamber 75 is open to permit the dames, in the present instance, from a burner. 77 to pass upward therein from below the same and around the glass that is flowing down the slab 74, such Haines finding an exit 'from the top portion of the chamber through openings 78 in the wall thereof. It is thus evident that the flames from the burner 77, or the heat generated thereby, which rise around the glass as it Hows downward from. the pot 70 through the chamber 75, retards the cooling of the glass and permits it to be drawn from the lower end of the slab 74 and sized as to thickness by the drawing stress which is applied to the glass without the slab.

The slab 74 is carried by hollow stems or tubes 79, which project up through the pot and the top of the heating chamber 71, being provided above said top with sprocket wheels 80, which are threaded on said stems and rest at the lower ends of their hubs on a cross-beani 81 at the top ofthe furnace. The sprocket wheels are connected by a sprocket chain 82, and one sprocket Wheel has chain and sprocket connection 83 with an adjusting shaft 84, whereby a turning of said shaft will effect a uniform turning of the sprocket wheels 80 and a vertical adjusting of the slab 74. The head portion of the slab is tapered or of wedge form whereby a raising or lowering thereof within the outlet opening 73 of the pot effects a variation in the size of such openf ing to regulate the flow of molten glass from the pot. i

If the lower end of the slab 74 is broad, or terminates with the side edges thereof spaced, as shown, and air a little above atinospheric pressure is supplied to the 1nterior of the drawing glass through the stems 79 and slab 74, the glass will be drawn in transversely elongated hollow form, as shown at B, with opposing side walls thereof paralleland connected by short end portions. In such cases the shortv curved end portions of the drawing glass are severed from the side walls in any suitable manner, which forms no part of the present invention and will therefore not be described, thus separating the drawn glass into two sheets of uniform thickness, size and quality.

lf the lower end of the slab 74 is made V-shape in cross-section, as shown at 74a (Fig. 12), and imperforate, the glass which flows down t-he slab at the opposite sides thereof will merge into a single sheet C as it passes from the slab, which sheet is drawn to proper size after leaving the slab.

. The chamber 76 is preferably vertically adjustable with respect to the slab (4, and for this purpose-the wall 76 of the heating chamber is provided at opposite ends thereof with arms 86 through which extend rods 87 that project downward from the bottom of the furnace. A sprocket wheel is threaded on each of these rods in supporting reliation to the arms 86 and are connected by sprocket chains 88 to one member of a double sprocket wheel 89 threaded on a vertical rod 90 at one side 0f the rod 87. The other members of the sprocket wheels 89, 89 are connected by a sprocket chain 91. It is thus evident that a movement of such chain will effect a simultaneous and uniform verticali: adjustment of the sprocket wheels (not shown) which are carried by the rods 87 One advantage of mounting the shell 76 for vertical adjustment is to facilitate a replacing of the plate 92 which forms the opening 78 in the bottom of the pot 70.

It is evident in the use of each of the apparatus shown and described that the molten glass is caused to flow in a molten state down a heatedA slab disposed in a heated chamber, the' glass being distributed over the slab and flowing down and from the same in either single or multiple sheet form, the flowing of the glass from the `slab being augmented by a drawing means which causes a stretching out and thinning or sizing of the sheet after leaving the slab. It

will be understood that the thickness 0f the j;

drawn sheet isdependent not only on the speed of drawing of the sheet from the slab, but also on the quantity of flow of molten glass from the trough 3 or pot 70, as the case may be, down the slab, and on the temperature maintained in the chamber within which the slab is disposed, it being evident that the lower the temperature within the slab containing chamber, the more quickly will the glass harden and set. As the glass sheet is drawn from the slab and becomes hardened, it is severed into sections by any suitable means. Such severing, however, must take plate at the outer side of the drawing means so that the drawn glass sheet will be continuously maintained between the y A further and very important feature of my manner of making continuous glass sheets is the increased speed with which the glass can be drawn, and the smoothness and uniformity in thickness of the product. It is evident that with the use of my apparatus `it is not necessary to pass the glass between sizing rolls or for it to have contact with any roll or hard substance after leaving the slab and before the glass is in a set condition, thereby preventmg roughening of the glass surface which takes place by reason of such contact.

Vhile I have herein shown and described several specific embodiments of my invention for illustrative purposes, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the mere details or relative arrangement of the parts, but that deviations from the illustrated forms or embodiments of the invention may be made without departing from the spirit of the claims. C U

Having thus described my invention, what- I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In an apparatus of the class described, a heated chamber having4 an outlet, and a slab having its discharge end lower than its receiving end disposed in said chamber in heat surrounded position and onto and down which molten glass may flow within the chamber and be drawn outward therefrom through said outlet in sheet form.

2. In an apparatus of the class described, a heated chamber, a slab having its discharge end lowerthan its receiving end disposed in heat surrounded position in said chamber, and means for permitting molten glass to iow onto the slab within the chamber and down the same, the glass being drawn in continuous sheet form from said slab.

3. In an apparatus of the Vclass described, an Y inclined substantially flat slab surrounded by heat andhaving its discharge end lower than its receiving end, and means for permitting molten glass to flow onto and down said slab, the glass being drawn in continuous sheet form from the discharge ishing toward the discharge end of the slab.

5. In an apparatus of the class described, a heating chamber having an opening therein, a slab disposed within said chamber and rojecting through said opening., said slab eing surrounded with heat in said chamber, and means for directing molten glass onto said slab within the chamber, theA glass flowing down the slab and' being drawn in continuous sheet form from the outer end thereof.

6. In an apparatus of the class described, a heated chamber having an opening therein, a slab within the chamber and onto which molten material may flow and be drawn lengthwise therefrom in continuous sheet form through said opening, and means for varying the size of the opening to regulate the temperature in the chamber.

7. In an apparatus of the class described, ay heated chamber having an opening therein, an inclined slab within the chamber and onto which molten material may flow and be drawn lengthwise therefrom in continuous sheet form through said opening, said slab being surrounded with the chamber heat and having the surface thereof over which the material flows substantially `fiat in cross-section.

8. In an apparatus of the class described, a heated chamber having an opening therea l I 1n, and a substantially fiat slab adjustably mounted in said chamber and down which molten glass may flowand be drawn therefrom in continuous sheet form through said opening.

9. In an apparatus of the class described, a heated chamber having an opening therein, a vslab mounted in said chamber for vertical swinging adjustment and down which molten glass may flow and be drawn lengthwise therefrom in continuous sheet form through said opening, and means lfor swingingly adjusting said slab.

1.0. In an apparatus of the class described, a heated chamber having an opening therein, a slab mounted in said chamber for vertical swinging and transverse axial adjustment and down which molten material may flow and be drawn lengthwise therefrom in sheet form through said opening.

` 11. In an apparatus of the class described, a heated chamber having an opening therein, a slab mounted in said chamber for vertical swinging and transverse axial adjustment and down which molten material ma)y flow and be drawn lengthwise therefrom in continuous sheet forni through said opening, and separate means for impartingdifferent adjustments to said slab.

l2. In an apparatus of the class described, a heated chamber having an opening therein, a slab disposed in heat surrounded position in said chamber and onto and down which molten material may How and be i drawn in continuous sheet form through said opening, and adjustable means on the surface of said slab for regulating the width of the glass sheet. v

13. In an apparatus of the class described, i l

a heated chamber having an opening therein, an inclined slab disposed in heat surrounded position m said chamber, means for permitting molten material `to flow in a continuous stream onto and down said slab, the material passing from said slab in continuous sheet form through said opening, and side pieces mounted on said slab and adjustable to regulate the Width of the glass sheet flowing doWn the same.

14. In an apparatus of the class described, a heated chamber having a side thereof provided with an opening, a plurality of swinging gates adjustably restricting' said opening, and a slab in heat surrounded position in said chamber onto and down which molten material may flow and be drawn through said opening in continuous sheet form.

15. In an apparatus of the class described, a heated chamber having an opening in a side thereof, upper and lower gates mounted in said opening and forming a restricted opening, said gates being swingingly adjustable to vary the size of said opening, and a slab disposed in heat surrounded position in said chamber in position for molten material to How onto and down the same and be drawn therefrom in continuous sheet form through said opening, the outer end of said slab projecting through said opening.

16. In an apparatus of the class described, a heated chamber having an opening therein, a gate mounted for tilting adjustment and for adjust-ment transverse to its tilting aXis to vary the size of said opening, and a slab in said chamber and onto which molten material may How and be drawn .lengthwise therefrom in sheet form through said opening.

17. In an apparatus of the class described, a heated chamber having an opening therein, a gate adjustably mounted to restrict or enlarge said opening, means for imparting.

tilting adjustment to said gate, means for imparting adjustment to said gate transverse to its tilting axis, and a slab disposed in said chamber and onto and down which molten material may flow and be draWn lengthwise therefrom in continuous sheet form through said opening.

18. In an apparatus of the class described, a heated chamber having an opening therein, a yreciprocally movable plate closing a portion of said opening, a gate hingedly carried by said plate and ing the size of said opening, separate means further restrictfor vertically adjusting said plate and swingingly adjusting said gate, and a slab disposed in said chamber and onto and down which molten material may ioW and be drawn therefrom in sheet form through said restricted opening.

19. In an apparatus of the class described, a heated chamber, a slab tiltingly mounted in said chamber and onto and down Which molten material may loW and be drawn therefrom in sheet form through said opening, and means supporting the outer end of said slab and adjustable to vary the inclination of the slab..

20. In an apparatus of the class described, a heated chamber, a tiltingly mounted slab disposed in inclined position in said chamber With its outer end projected through said opening, material to flow onto and down said slab within said chamber and be drawn from its outer end in continuous sheet form, a gate adjustably mounted below said slab to vary the size of said opening, and means carried by said gate for 'supporting the outer end of said slab and adjustable to vary the inclination of the slab.

21. In an apparatus of the class described, a heated chamber having an opening therein, a' slab disposed in heat surrounding position in said chamber in register with said opening, means for containing molten glass and permitting it to flow on said slab preparatory to passing down and being drawn from the slab in continuous sheet form, and means for regulating the flow of molten glass onto said slab.

Q2. In an apparatus of the class described, a slab down which molten glass is permitted to flow and from Which it is drawn, said slab having pneumatic suction means at its outer end for drawing and holding a thin film of glass thereto. f

23. In an apparatus of the class described, a slab down which molten glass is permitted to flow and from which it is drawn,.said slab having a plurality of openings at its outer end in communication With a source of vacuum to cause a drawing and holding of a thin film of glass to the slab end.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto signed my name'to this specification.

EDWRD @BANNER means for permitting molten 

